UCF baseball update: Blazers Sweep Golden Knights

UCF falls to 0-6 in C-USA

CUSA Fans UCF sports correspondent Ryan Westin provides us with an update on the 2007 UCF baseball team.

UCF was unable to take home a victory this weekend as they lost three games to UAB. It is the second weekend series in a row that the Knights have been swept. UCF falls to 16-16 on the year and 0-6 in conference play. The Knights were able to get the hits they needed to keep them in the games, but were unable to convert their opportunities when runners were on base. UCF out hit UAB 24 to 17 during the doubleheader on Saturday, however the Golden Knights were unable turn hits into runs.

Game One: UAB 15 - UCF 5

UCF dug a hole early during their Friday night game, as the Knights committed 4 errors and were down 9-0 at the end of the third inning.

Carmine Giardina started on the mound for the Knights but was only able to put in 2.1 innings worth of work. Giardina was able to get through the first inning without much trouble giving up only one hit.  In the second inning Ryne Lovdahl doubled to left to lead off for the Blazers, but UCF was able to pick up two outs right away. An error by third baseman Chris Duffy kept the inning alive and put two runners on base before a triple by Allen Aubin cleared the bases and gave the Blazers a 2-0 lead. UCF put two runners on base after an error and a walk, but the Knights were not able to take advantage of the runners on base like UAB as Kiko Vazquez grounded out to end the inning.

Giardina started the bottom of the third giving up a bunt single to Phil Bell before loadin the bases with a walk and a hit by pitch. While Giardina was able to pick up two outs, he unfortunately gave up a four runs along the way. Kyle Sweat came in to relieve Giardina but was unable to stop UAB's bats as they scored 7 runs to jump out to an early 9-0 lead.

UCF was able to tally 5 runs in the fifth inning, but they were unable to close the gap as the Knights were held scoreless the rest of the way. UAB added 6 more runs to run away with the victory in the opener of the three game series.

Game Two: UAB 2 - UCF 1

UCF was able to get their first lead of the series and score in the first inning after Matt Horwath's leadoff double and Tyson Auer’s RBI single to center. UAB then answered in the bottom half of the inning after leadoff batter Levi Patton was able to score off of a single to left by J.R. Bond.

A pitching duel would ensue the rest of the way as only one run would be scored the remaining eight innings. Jaager Good walked Danny Sawyer in the fourth inning  and UAB took the lead for good after a double to left by Brint Hardy.

Good pitched a solid 7 solid innings but was unable to get much support from the UCF offense for a victory. The Knights did out hit the Blazers 11 to 6 but just could not bring in the equalizing run. The Knights had runners in scoring position in the 5th, 7th, 8th and 9th inning but were unable to tie the game as UAB's pitching duo held the Knights scoreless over the final eight innings. Shay Crawford picked up the win after pitching 6 innings and giving up the one run. Brandon Wallace picked up the save as he held the Knights scoreless over the final three innings.

Game Three: UAB 9 - UCF 7

UCF had the same trouble in the night cap of the doubleheader as they were again unable to take advantage of runners on base while dropping their third straight game to UAB. UAB did their damage early on in the final game of the series as they jumped out to a 9-2 lead after the 4th inning and relied on their pitching to hold on to sweep UCF.

Derek Abriola put in 3 innings from the mound and gave up 6 runs. Brian Brooks came in relief of Abriola in the 4th inning with the base loaded and was able to end the inning. Brooks would go on to finish the contest and hold UAB scoreless over the last five innings.

The Knights were led by Ryan Richardson who was a perfect 4 pf 4 and scored 3 runs while knocking in one as well. However Richardson and the Knights were unable to score enough runs to overcome the early deficit although they did make it.

UCF was able to score 5 runs in the last three innings and loaded the bases with just one out in the 9th after Steve Stropp was walked. With the winning run on first, UCF had it's first opportunity to take the lead. Second baseman Kyle Mills however grounded out to second to force the double play and send the Knights back to Orlando without a victory.

First
UCF was able to pick up their first win in Conference USA play last season in their first shot against Marshall. The Golden Knights were able to win their inaugural game in C-USA at Marshall 18-1. This season the Knights are still looking for their first victory in conference play as they host Southern Miss next weekend with a 0-6 record in conference.

Not Going Anywhere for a while?
UCF left 30 runners on base during their series with the Blazers. UAB left 22 on base over the three games this weekend.

Who's Next?
UCF will travel down I-4 to play interstate rival USF in the first of three games between the foes this season. The Knights will then travel home to play Southern Miss as they look to pick up their first victory this season in conference play. UCF was outscored by Southern Miss in last season's series finale 31-6.